Rolling door with slat therefor having windows



April l5, 1952 R. H. GREEGoR 2,592,888

ROLLING DooR WITH 'sLAI 'IHEREFOR HAVING wINDows gilled May 28, 1949 v 4 sheets-snee.: 1

nullllllllluun lllllllplll April 15, 1952 R. H. GREEGOR 2,592,888

ROLLING DooR WITH sLAT THEREFOR HAVING wnmovrs.v

4 Sheetsi-Shet 2 Filed My 28, 1949 4 TTOPMEYS April 15, 1952 R. H. GREl-:GOR

ROLLING DOOR WITH SLAT THEREFOR HAVING WINDOWS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 28, 1949 April 15, 1952 R. H. GREEGOR 2,592,888

`ROLLING DOOR WITH SLAT THEREFOR HAVING WINDOWS Filed May 28, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 15, 1952 ROLLING DOOR WITH SLAT'THEREFOR HAVING WINDOWS Ralph H. Greegor, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to The Kinnear Manufacturing Co., Columbus, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 28, 1949, Serial No. 96,007

5 Claims. .f (Cl. 18S-7S) This invention relates to improvements in rolling doors, and particularly to the provision of a window means in rolling doors constructed of articulated slats.

One of the preferred types of rolling doors is constructed of relatively narrow transversely eX- tending slats which are swivelly connected together along their edges. A door or curtain of any length or width can be made up in this manner for an opening in a building wall. A door or curtain of this type is highly iiexible and can be rolled up on a drum at the top of the opening when it is desired to open the door.

While doors and curtains of this type are highly satisfactory so far as strength and convenience is concerned, it has been difficult to provide any suitable window means therein for the admission of light or air for the purpose of seeing through the door when it is closed. This difficulty has arisen from the fact that the slats are relatively narrow and are generally concave toward one side or" the door, and because the door or curtain must retain its flexibility in order that the full utility thereof may be realized.

The primary object of the instant invention is the provision of an arrangement for placing a Ventilating, illuminating, or visibility window in a door or curtain of this type in such manner that, while adequate window space is provided, there is no loss of flexibility or strength of the door.

Another object is the provision of an arrangement for placing a window in a rolling door of the type referred to, such that the window can be located any desired place in the door. y

Another object is the provision oi a window arrangement for a rolling door which does not detract from the iiexibility thereof and which is not subject to breakage.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a slat for a rolling door adapted for being articulated with other slats in the construction ofla complete door and having individual window means arranged therein.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent upon reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is an elevational View oi a door con structed according to this invention looking toward the inside of the door;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken through the door opening showing tl e construction of the rolling door;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken 2 through a portion of the rolling door and showing one slat without windows therein and two slats with windows;

Figure 4 is a somewhat enlarged View looking in at the inside surface of one of the windowed slats, as indicated by line 4-4 on Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 14 but showing the windowed slat near one end;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken through one of the joints between adjacent slats and showing the manner of retaining and sealing the transparent window member on the slat;

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 4 in that it is taken from the inside of the slat but showing a modified arrangement for placing the window in the slat; and

Figure 8 is a vertical section indicated by line 8 8 on Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a view looking in at the inside of a slat and having a modied form of window closure therefor according to my invention;

Figures l0 and 11 are sections taken through the closure member and slat as indicated by lines IIl-I and II-II on Figure 9;

Figure l2 is a vertical section taken through a slat of the type shown in Figure 3, but showing how screening can be mounted in place of the transparent strip shown in Figure 3;

Figure 13 is a View similar to Figure 8 but showing the use of screening in place of a transparent strip; and

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 11 but showing how the window closure member of Figure 10 can be modied so as to have screening mounted therein.

Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, the general arrangement of a rolling door of the type with which this invention is concerned is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.V In these figures, there is a building wall I0 having an opening I2 therein which it is desired to close by a rolling door or curtain. At each side of opening I2 on the inside wall of the building are arranged guide channels I4 and extending across the opening and with their ends disposed within the guide channels are the articulated slats or panels I6 comprising the rolling door.

The rolling door extends upwardly and is secured to a drum or shaft i8' lwhich is adapted for being driven for either raising or lowering the door by means of gearing 20 which can selectively be actuated by the hand chain 22.

Arranged at about eye-level in the rolling'door are a plurality of slats indicated at 24 andeach of which has therein a plurality of substantially rectangular apertures 26 spaced along the length of the said slat. These apertures provide the Window means with which this invention is concerned, and it will be evident that as many or as few thereof could be provided. In the illustration shown in Figure 1, the apertured slats are at about eye-level and thus afford window means so that when the door is down in its closed positionl anyone inside the building can readily see through the door. At the same time, the window means provide openings for admitting light, or for seeing through or, as will be seen hereinafter, for ventilation.

In Figure 3, it will be seen how the individual slats making up the door are connected together. In this gure, the uppermost slat is indicated at I6, and this is a solid slat having no window means therein. The lower two slats in Figure 3 identied by numeral 24 are somewhat wider than slats i6 and are also apertured, as at 26. The slats are concave toward the inside of the building for imparting greater stiffness to the door than could be provided by flat slats, and have their edges rolled so as to engage correspondingly rolled edges on the adjacent slats, whereby the said slats can swivel relatively to each other as they are rolled around the drum [8.

Extending along the inside surface of each of the apertured slats 24 is a transparent strip 28. This strip can be made of glass, but it is preferably made of some flexible plastic material in order to reduce the liability of breakage. The strip 28 is somewhat wider than the apertures 26, and when placed in position on the inside surface of the apertured slat, provides a closure for the said apertures.

Extending along the inside of each of the apertured slats and over the transparent strip thereon is a retaining member 30, and which is secured in strip retaining position by being fastened to the slat between the apertures therein, as by the screws 32 and nuts 34. I t will be seen that member 38 is shaped so as to be concave toward the inside of the door, and so that when it engages the surface of strip 2B it will also engage the inside of the associated slat along its edges, as at 36. This is particularly brought out in Figure 6, and it will be noted that this arrangement provides a space 38 for receiving caulking or glazing compounds which provide a sealing support for the transparent strip.

One manner of arriving at the proper shape for retaining member 30 is to cut it from one of the slats, as by sawing the Slat lengthwise inside its rolled edges. It will be evident, however, that the retaining member S could be formed by other well known methods, if desired,

The retaining member 3D is apertured, as at 40, and these apertures are of a size and are so located that when the retaining member is secured in position against the slat, the apertures 26 of the slat and 46 of the retaining strip are in exact register.

As will be seen in Figure 5, the transparent strip 28 may terminate somewhat short of the retaining member, leaving a space 42 in which glazing or caulking compound can be placed, thereby completely sealing the entire periphery of the transparent strip 28.

-A somewhat modified arrangement is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, wherein the slats 44 are apertured, as at 26, similarly` as has been described in connection with slats 24. In Figures 7 and 8, however, the Iapertures are individually completed as by the individual transparent strips 48, and these are retained in position by individual retaining members 50 secured to the slat as by screws 52 and being of prepared metal or cast construction. As in connection with the transparent strip shown in Figures 1 through 6, the transparent strip 48 is preferably set in caulking or glazing compound, so that the aperture in the slat is completely sealed.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that this invention provides for a relatively simple and inexpensive means for providing for Windows in rolling door or curtains. These windows c-an be arranged anywhere desired in the door and may be of any size and shape. The strength of the door is not materially decreased, and the transparent strips covering the apertures and individual slats are so protected as to be substantially free of breakage. The construction provides a ready means of installing the transparent strips and their retaining members at the site of erection of the door, thereby permitting the slats and transparent strips to be packed separately and eliminating the need of special packing for the slats so as to protect the transparent strips against breakage and scratching during shipping.

A still further modified construction of my invention is illustrated in Figures 9, 10 and 11, wherein it will be seen that there is a Slat 60 having apertures 62 therein and that over each aperture there is mounted the member 64 which includes a peripheral part overlying the periphery of the associ-ated aperture in the slat. Member 64, as shown in Figures 9 through l1, may be glass or plastic, so that the central part thereof, as at 66, which forms the window closure, is integral with the said member. The part of the member overlying the periphery of the aperture in the slat may be annularly grooved for receiving sealing means 68 which makes the window absolutely water and weather tight.

At each end of each member 64, there may be the slotted extension 'l0 which forms with the corresponding extension 'lll of the adjacent end of the adjacent member, an aperture 'l2 for receiving retaining means, such as bolt 14 extending through the slat.

The window arrangements described hereinbefore have all been of the transparent and substantially air tight type. It is Within the purview of this invention, however, to provide for ventilating windows as well as illuminating or visibility windows, and this is illustrated in Figures 12 through 14.

Figure 12 has been taken from Figure 3,V except that the transparent strip 28 in Figure 3 has been replaced by a strip of suitable screening 16. The other parts of the construction shown in Figure 12 bear the same numbers as they do in Figure 3. The screening 16 in Figure l2 may be of -any suitable type, but is preferably of a rather iine mesh and made of strong Wire, so as to have long life and to resist bending or breakage. There may be means, as at 18, comprising caulking compound or the like, in which the screen can be set to prevent slippage thereof after the retaining member 30 is bolted in position. It will be understood, of course, that means 18 is not required for providing a weather seal, but may be useful for preventing moisture from being retained between the slat and retaining strip and about the screen therebetween, and thereby prevent corrosion and rusting of these parts by the said moisture.

Figure 13 has been taken from Figure 8 and is correspondingly numbered, except that the transparent strip 48 in Figure 8 has been replaced by the screen 80 in Figure 13. In other respects, the construction of Figure 13 can be substantially identical with Figure 8.

In Figure 14 an arrangement is shown wherein there is a frame 82 overlying the periphery of yaperture 84 in slat 86. Frame 82 may be retained in position over the aperture in the slat as by bolt 88 in the same manner as member 64 is retained in position by bolts 'I4 in Figures 9 through 11.

In Figure 14 frame 82 has a central opening 90 therein that is covered by the screening 92, and screening 92 is retained in place on frame 82 by clamping ring 94. The construction shown in Figure 15 is quite similar to that shown in Figures 9 through 11, in that each of the members for being mounted over the apertures in the slats can be completely prefabricated before being assembled with the slats.

In all cases described hereinbefore, the advantage obtains that the slats and the members which are to be secured to the slats for covering the apertures, can be packed and shipped separately and assembled at the job site, thereby greatly reducing the possibility of breaking, bending, scratching, or otherwise damaging the closure members for the apertures in the slats.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt it to diiferent usages and conditions, and, accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modincations within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a rolling door construction, a relatively narrow elongated panel, said panel being curved about its longitudinal axis and presenting a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, a plurality of apertures in said panel, a transparent strip of material curved to fit snugly against said panel and extending over said plurality of apertures therein, a retainer strip for engaging said panel and holding Said transparent strip of material in place, said retainer strip extending along said plurality of apertures, and fastening means arranged between the apertures in said panel for securing said retainer strip to the panel and maintaining said transparent strip of material in a xed position over said apertures.

2. In a rolling door construction, a relatively narrow elongated panel, said panel being curved about its longitudinal axis and presenting a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, the longitudinally extending edges of said panel being rolled in a loop formation, a reversely curved portion adjacent said rolled loop section, a plurality of apertures in said panel, a transparent strip of material curved to fit snugly against said panel and extending over said plurality of apertures therein, a retainer strip for engaging said panel and holding said transparent strip of material in place, said retainer strip extending along said plurality of apertures, and fastening means between the apertures in said panel for securing said retainer strip to the panel 6 and maintaining said transparent strip of maa terial in a xed position over said apertures.

3. In a rolled door construction, a relatively narrow elongated panel, said panel having a plu rality of apertures therein, a transparent strip of material arranged to nt snugly against said panel and extending over said plurality of apertures, a retainer strip for engaging said panel and holding said transparent strip of material in place against said panel, said retainer strip extending along said plurality of apertures, and fastening means arranged between the apertures in said panel for securing said retainer strip to the panel and maintaining said transparent strip of material in a nxed position over said apertures.

4. In a rolling door construction, a relatively narrow elongated panel, said panel being curved about its longitudinal axis and presenting a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface. the longitudinally extending edges of said panel being rolled in a loop formation, a reversely curved portion adjacent said rolled loop section, an aperture in said panel, a strip of transparent material curved to t snugly against said panel and extend over said aperture and form a closure therefor, a retainer strip having a curvature corresponding to said curved panel and engaging the outer edge portions of said transparent material, fastening means for fixedly securing said retainer strip to said panel to support said transparent material in position over said aperture, and plastic means .disposed contiguous with the outer edges of said transparent material and between said retainer strip and said panel for sealing said transparent material in said aperture.

5. In a rolling door construction, a relativelyl narrow elongated panel, said panel having a plurality of apertures therein, a transparent strip of material arranged to fit snugly against said panel and extending over said plurality of apertures, a retainer strip for engaging said panel and holding said transparent strip of material in place against said panel, said retainer strip extending along said plurality of apertures, fastening means arranged between the apertures in said panel for securing said retainer strip to the panel and maintaining said transparent strip of material in a Xed position over said apertures, and plastic means disposed contiguous with the outer edges of said transparent material and between said retainer strip and said panel for sealing said transparent material in place.

RALPH H. GREEGOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 827,677 Vance July 31, 1906 2,039,447 Pixley May 5, 1936 2,061,304 Graham Nov. 17, 1936 2,208,039 Mills July 16, 1940 2,390,116 Michelman Dec. 4, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 527,004 Great Britain Sept. 30, 1940 

